Behavioral Science and Decision Making in Context
Funds interdisciplinary research on how individuals and institutions make decisions and behave in varied U.S. social, economic, and political contexts.
Funder: Russell Sage Foundation
Due Dates: October 29, 2025 (LOI) | February 18, 2026 (Invited Proposal) | July 15, 2026 (LOI) | October 26, 2026 (Invited Proposal)
Funding Amounts: Up to $200,000 per grant (including 15% indirect costs); typical duration up to 2 years.
Summary: Supports interdisciplinary social science research on decision-making, attitudes, and behaviors in varied U.S. social, economic, and institutional contexts.
Key Information: All proposals must be preceded by a competitive Letter of Inquiry (LOI); only about 15% of LOIs are invited to submit a full proposal.
Description
The Russell Sage Foundation's Behavioral Science and Decision Making in Context program funds innovative, interdisciplinary research that advances understanding of how individuals and institutions make decisions and behave across a range of U.S. social, economic, and political environments. The program welcomes projects from economics, psychology, political science, sociology, law, public policy, and related fields, with a focus on topics such as policing, criminal legal systems, employment, housing, politics, racial/ethnic relations, and immigration.
Research should contribute to knowledge about attitudes, decision-making processes, biases, institutional practices, and the mechanisms underlying behavioral outcomes. RSF is especially interested in projects that use new or novel data, original data collection, or experimental/field methods, and that address issues relevant to improving social and living conditions in the United States.
